Sustainable Biocapsules - Transforming Waste into Trees

Deforestation in Brazil has been a challenge that has been faced for decades. In the Amazon Forest there are high rates of deforestation, with an average of 6,750 km² per year recorded in the last decade. In 2019 alone, there was a 34% increase in deforestation compared to the previous year, reaching 10,100 km² of deforested territory, according to data from INPE (National Institute for Space Research, 2020).

Currently, another environmental problem that has been gaining prominence in Brazil is the concern with waste from the pharmaceutical industry, due to the evolution of productivity in this sector in the country and, consequently, the increase in waste generation in this sector.

Thinking about these problems, Ambipar developed the technology of "Sustainable Biocapsules", which consists of using waste collagen capsules from the pharmaceutical industry, together with a soil conditioner - Ecosolo® (made with organic waste from the cellulose industry) and native seeds so that they can be played remotely by air (drones for example), thus reaching remote and difficult to access areas. In contact with water, the biocapsules quickly melt and form micro (Boron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese) and macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium), which help in soil nutrition, seed germination and seedling growth, mainly, in degraded and nutrient-poor soils, where there has been deforestation, burning, erosion or other degenerative anthropic action.

In 2022 alone, more than 500,000 biocapsules were produced and distributed to the various Brazilian biomes.

The packaging that stores the biocapules (made with waste from the pharmaceutical and cellulose industries) uses the concept of design thinking in order to facilitate the visualization of the product internally (by means of a transparent band). Its size helps the ergonomics of handling and display on existing commercial shelves. Its composition in Kraft paper with a thin layer of recycled polymer allows the preservation of the biocapsules for a long period of time, protecting against moisture and oxygen, extending the useful life of the seed. The “zip look” of the package allows the consumer to open and close it without damaging its structure, thus allowing the user to use only the desired amount.